Peter Rabbit Hops to Sundae Sunday

Rabbits, real and imagined, plus fun, games and ice cream

By Kathy Knotts

Peter Rabbit has delighted generations since he hopped into children’s literature in 1902. The Tale of Peter Rabbit — written as a gift for a child — was the first in a series of animal tales by animal lover and naturalist Beatrix Potter. The cottontail, the velvet ears, the twitchy nose, the long whiskers and the habit of sneaking into Mr. McGregor’s garden to feast on vegetables: It all still appeals to our whimsical natures and sets our imaginations adrift.

You can enter that innocent world on Sunday, August 13, when Pamela Moore, director of Edgewater’s National Ballet Company, reads the classic tale at the Captain Avery Museum’s Sundae Sunday.

Joining Moore are Peter Rabbit, a lop-eared rabbit named after the famous literary bunny, and costumed young dancers to act out the story. Moore says she hopes children from the audience will step up for other roles.

Sundae Sunday is a monthly summertime invitation to kids of all ages to spend an afternoon enjoying the museum’s waterfront grounds. As well as joining Peter Rabbit, you can play lawn games such as badminton and croquet, sketch in the garden or simply enjoy the view. Ice cream sundaes for all make the day sweeter.